Tom Daley swapped his swimming trunks for the driving seat as he took part in the MINI Drivers course, a specially designed programme to introduce young people to driving based at Goodwood, the home of British motor sport.

Tom is currently learning to drive in his MINI One D Hatch that he received just days after his 17th birthday in May as part of his role as a member of the BMW London 2012 Performance Team, an initiative designed to provide London 2012 hopefuls with support as they prepare for the Games on and off the field.

The MINI Drivers course, which runs all year round, allows teenagers to acquire the necessary skills to become safe and competent drivers on the road, whilst also giving them the taste of life on a world-class motor circuit, following in the tyre tracks of motor sport legends.

Tom was delighted with the experience, commenting, “With the amount of travelling from home to the pool that I have to do, I’m obviously desperate to get my licence as soon as possible so it’s great that MINI are helping me on my way to that as well as on my journey to London 2012. The Mini Drivers @ Goodwood course was a brilliant way to learn and I’m looking forward to coming back for more.”

MINI UK is proud to be an official partner to Team GB and the ParalympicsGB Team on their journey to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Acting as the biggest fan for both teams, MINI hopes its support will help to inspire extraordinary performances.

Chosen by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games (LOCOG) as the Official Automotive Partner, BMW’s sustainability credentials will help LOCOG deliver a sustainable Games. As part of the partnership, BMW will supply a range of Efficient Dynamic diesel cars, hybrids and electric vehicles, achieving average CO2 emissions below the LOCOG target of 120g/km, as well as bicycles and motorcycles.

To find out more about our performance team and to view the athletes’ performance moments visit www.bmw.co.uk/London2012.

Further information about the Mini Drivers @ Goodwood Course can be found at http://www.goodwood.co.uk/motorsport/minidrivers/forthekids.aspx